Vert-a-Pak Historical Information

[Anonymous]

Hello from Colorado, My name is Tom Johnson, a mechanical engineer working for the RR industry and would like to receive any information concerning the special equipment Vert-a-Pak auto rack flat cars that were used during the early to mid 1970's time period to transport GM subcompact cars.

I would also be very interested hearing from in any former RR mechanical department employees that had previous experience either inspecting lading damage / loading or unloading / repairing the Vert-a-Pak auto rack cars.

Note: Any information concerning the current availability of the Quality Craft Vert-a-Pak model would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your assistance today.

 

[M636C]

My recollection was that these cars were designed to take the Ford Pinto, not a GM car. I recall seeing photos of French -built Simca sedans being used with modified wheel track, to test the Vert-a-Pac before the new car was released.

Regardless, the problem with the Vert-a-Pac was that it could only take one type of automobile because special brackets were placed to lock with the automobile's chassis to hold it in place. The automobile had to be able to be stored vertically while fitted with a battery and with fuel to be driven on and off the "rack". The vehicles were backed on to the folding carrier and I think a modified fork lift was used to raise the carrier into the vertical position.

Clearly, the car could not be used for larger automobiles or small trucks simply because the Vert-a-Pac did not provide enough room for either, and possibly the clearance outline would not allow full size cars vertically anyway.

I think the car was too specialised to last, even if it reduced loss and damage (as it should have!).

M636C

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I remember that the Chevrolet Vega sub-compact was shipped in Vert-a-Pacs and there were certain design features on the auto to accomodate this fact.  The battery that came with the car had its posts on the side rather than the top and there were notches on the frame to accomodate the mounting brackets on the Vert-a-Pac.  As mentioned above, the Vert-a-Pac could only accomodate subcompacts and was a good idea that didn't work out that well in practice.

[Anonymous]

Never even new such a thing existed. Interesting thread.

[Andrew Falconer]

http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/flat/f070-58a.htm

Please click that to see more about the Vert-A-Pac

Andrew

[nordique72]

In addition to the specialized SP Vert-A-Pac cars were there not Trailer Train equipped flats that could hold 4 Vert-A-Pac type "containers" of cars? I seem to recall seeing photos of SP, Rio Grande and Rock Island Vert-A-Pac equipment such as this too- does anyone have anymore these types of cars?